Chapter 26
Bloodline

The room was devoid of light.

Deep within the inner workings of the Kazekage's mansion, the tracking unit was located in secrecy, with only the tracker-nin, councilmen, and select ANBU being aware of their meeting place. The shinobi's porcelain mask gleamed from the sole sliver of daylight that peaked through the pipes above them, its creamy porcelain texture appearing feral and wolfish, adorned in red markings and menacing scowl. Upon their flak jacket and sleeves, the evidence of recently completing a mission was made obvious as the presence of dirt and combat was easy to conclude. Obediently, they waited for commands from their master, the commander of Suna's tracking unit. Moro, the stern-faced man who ran the tracking unit corps from behind the scenes with an iron fist - while Kenzō ruled their doctrines from above.

"Good," Moro spoke, his back facing the masked shinobi. "It appears your tracking abilities are refined as ever, you were indeed a useful find." Turning around, his aged scarred face gazed towards her, sternly. "Nomasaki of the Yamamori clan. For an outsider, you certainly give your unquestioned service for the good of our realm. It seems we were right to trust in the abilities of an outsider such as yourself."

Taking off her mask, she met his glance, meeting his with an expression stoic and calm in nature. "Thank you for allowing me to enter the ranks of the tracking unit," She replied, nodding once. "I'm pleased you appreciate the results, Moro-sama. It's been... bitter work, to say the least."

Turning towards the fragile sunbeams entering from the broken piping in the ceiling, his dark eyes narrowed. "The elders on the Suna Council are still uneasy of your heritage, but they're warming up… thanks to your unorthodox talents. Aside from that, I hear your mission was successful to Ishigakure... a welcome relief, if anything." Suspicions grew in his mind. Facing her, he gave a stern glare. "There is talk of Kenzō-sama requesting more power over this unit, and that doesn't quite sit well with me... What's more, the council is beginning to grow suspicious of the man. He's become erratic in his movements since the Kazekage's return months ago, leaving some to think he's the one responsible for those Akatsuki entering the village on such low guard." He studied her mask carefully. "You wouldn't know anything of this... would you?"

Averting her eyes, she cowered away. "I have the seal...-,"

"I'm well aware of that. But can you confirm this?"

Hesitating, she wondered how much she could speak before the seal ripped her apart. Slowly, she formed the words in her thoughts then spoke them aloud. "...I have my suspicions as well." She managed. "That night still... doesn't make much sense to me, if I'm being truthful."

He cursed under his breath. "Just as I feared... He'll take us all down with him, that bastard...!" A scoff passed his lips, as if humoured. "If you ask me, the worst thing the Fourth Kazekage ever did was give that wretched man his esteemed seat on the council and his will to the tracking unit... not the sealing of Shukaku into his own son."

Nomasaki's eyes widened. "It was the Fourth who...?"

Moro nodded. "Yes. And the Third's doing as well. The legendary Iron Third, he was so young... too young, almost." He reminisced bitterly. "Rumour has it that Kenzō-sama appeared at the gates shortly before the Third Kazekage's sudden disappearance... and the Third took pity on him and let him through. We were at war, then. We needed all the power we could muster... so we turned to those exiled by the First those many years ago. I would know because I was one of them, my elder sister Pakura as well."

The name struck her.

Only in passing had she ever heard the name Pakura of the Scorch Release. A feared and well-respected kunoichi for her prowess in battle, Pakura was one of Sunagakure's most powerful shinobi and was regarded as a war hero for her efforts in the Third Shinobi War. She often heard Temari and Meiyumi talk about her during their chunin days, about how they each wanted to be "as strong as Pakura-sama". Only after asking who the kunoichi was did Nomasaki realize that Pakura was long dead. And now, after hearing her commander mention her name, she wondered if he was as strong as the legacy his sister left behind.

"Pakura-sama was your... sister -?" She asked, stunned. "She was the Hero of Sunagakure at one time, wasn't she?"

He nodded, turning his focus back to the fragments of light. "When she lived, yes. She was killed after a failed peace mission to Kiri, when the Bloody Mist still reigned strong. Like others with common sense, I personally think she was done in by the Fourth after his inauguration... she sought to be his second-in-command and that didn't go over well with the superiors... especially since the village civilians began viewing her as a great war hero. Like his ancestors, the late Rasa-sama felt threatened by another bloodline." Nomasaki saw his back tense through his leather coat. Hardened anger, she quickly realized. "Me, however... He allowed me to live and made me commander of this unit after the Third Shinobi War came to a crushing close. But Kenzō-sama was the real one put in charge... The council would never allow a Kekkei Genkai wielder have power. In their eyes, it would be a betrayal of the village authority." Turning to face her directly, he met her wolfish mask with a face of iron. "I'm saying this because you must understand... why people like us will never be truly accepted here, no matter if we call it our home or not."

And then she remembered all the hardened stares she received since her arrival, all the curses and glares that followed her path. "Outsider", "foreigner", and at worst "inbred". The people of Suna had a cold disdain for people like her, no matter if they were from the mountains or the wastes, such as Moro and the others. And Kenzō-sama was one of them, too... one of us. The thought made her shiver. I am not like him and I never will, no matter how much he threatens me. It was then she realized she felt as if she had nothing left to lose.

Her thoughts pressed her to ask. "And what of... -?"

"Prepare yourself. That's all I have to say." He answered, folding his arms over his chest. "I have a feeling there may be a coup... and very shortly. We must be aware of our surroundings at all times, or else we'll be swallowed into it as well. Remember, Kenzō-sama may have given you the order but I am your commander above all else. Piss on what he says, for all I care... I have no fear for that man - and neither should you. You follow my orders over his from this day forward. Understood?"

She nodded, hiding the fear that lay dormant in her heart. "Yes, Moro-sama."

Pondering his words, she looked down for a moment as she could feel the guilt seep into her veins. For even months after the loss of Shukaku, she was still being instructed to spy on her superior without his knowledge. After the theft of the tailed-beast, she felt a growing closeness to Gaara as a companion, friend, and something more. It tore her to betray him, but her duty was to the village as a tool. However, she remembered his shielding of her during their encounter with the feared Raigo of Ishigakure, how fast he appeared before her and how he stood in front of her without hesitation – he willingly protected her without a second thought. Gathering her thoughts, she looked up to her commander, who stood across from her in the darkened room.

"Speaking of which," She added. "May I stop my spying on Kazekage-sama, since he is no longer a jinchuriki? I know it was... him who made me fulfill that assignment, but... there's no end. I want to stop... I can't bear...-," Guilt evident in her lilac eyes, she glanced to the floor. Guilt overcame her, shielding her eyes from their sadness and betrayal. "There's no point to this. Since... Shukaku is no longer a threat to the village, I mean. This isn't right... and it never was. I'm only asking you being that you are my commander. You did say that I am now to follow your orders above... if you would allow this."

Silence came as he studied her from afar.

Jolting her slightly, she averted his eye contact. "... Gaara-sama... I'm his assistant, so I feel... guilty for keeping tabs on him behind his back. He is no threat to Suna, he is a great Kazekage… He only has the best interests of the village at heart." She said, her voice low. "Also… I'm… growing worried of... that man. I want to be free from his plans… if anything, he threatens the village, not Kazekage-sama." Swallowing her nervousness for speaking out of turn, she faced him through her wolfish mask, her lilac eyes prepared for authority to strike her down. "So… would it be alright if I ended this assignment?"

Turning away, he stepped back towards the front of the room, his cloaked back facing her once again with hands folded tightly. "You've been a member of the tracking unit as a rookie for nearly two years... and now you're attempting to go against orders?" He scoffed. "May I remind you, you disobeyed commands when you aided Kazekage-sama's siblings in tracking him down when he was taken by the Akatsuki... but I don't care for that much, it doesn't matter in my eyes. Well, then..."

Biting her tongue, she looked down. Although she was used to punishment at this point, having to mentally prepare for her failure to obey her mission trembled through her. Even as safe as she felt when Moro was near, she could not shake the fear that broiled her. This could be the end for me right here... because of my big mouth. If only her seal prevented her from talking altogether.

"As much as I'd like to free you myself, I must relay your request to Kenzō-sama. You're dismissed."

Accepting her fate, she nodded, her eyes closed in regret. "Yes, sir."

Standing up, she started for the door. Her fists balled at her sides, shaking lightly as she forced herself to realize that her fate was now set in stone. Kenzō will find out and her life in Suna will come to a sudden end - one way or another, whether that be exile or death. When she left that room, there would be no turning back.

"I expect you to report when called."

From his words, she paused, turning to Moro with a surprised yet curious expression. "Sir?"

"From this day on, you are no longer a rookie, but an equal to the tracking unit." He stated, turning to face her. His expression was stern, yet also welcoming at the same time. Although he was a fearful man, his comradeship stood above all else. "I give you the name... 'Wolf of the Desert'. You will live up to that name as a shinobi of Sunagakure, and a tracker-nin who protects the village from the inside."

Bowing to him in acceptance and relief, she smiled, lightly.

"Sir," She acknowledged. "Thank you."

For once, the estate had been quiet.

The council meeting ended abruptly after the discussion turned towards the mission in the Land of Claws. Murmurs sounded under the elders' breaths as none wanted to discuss the new dealings between Suna and the village they ultimately created from their past prejudice. Only when Gaara mentioned Kōgen of Ishigakure did the elders pay any interest to what the mission entailed. Their murmurs turned into shocked gasps and disgruntled scowls while the discourse soon turned angry and discontent.

"Our Kazekage nearly died months ago by the Akatsuki... and now this -!" An elder grunted. "Who would dare send an assassin after our leader where we've done no wrong?"

I did die, Gaara corrected in his thoughts as he watched them, And this village has done plenty wrong. Just ask Ishigakure.

It took Gaara himself to quell their bickering, with his insistence that no action take place until a hawk from Zenken arrived. And sure enough, one came. The messenger ran all the way down the corridor with the scroll in hand after it was decoded. He was near out of breath from his sprint, a young chunin of maybe fourteen years. When the head councillor Zarō read the scroll's contents, he made the room fall silent and still. "...It appears what they say is true. Their chieftain claims that the man was a missing-nin, and sent along their section from the Bingo Book."

"And what of their search for the others?" Gaara pressed, his eyes narrowed.

Zarō hesitated. "...Nothing. All their pursuit squads were found... killed. By the enemy, most likely."

"It's a waste of time." Kenzō entered, the councillors turning to him in their seats. "Kōgen of Ishi was a feared brute with many loyal followers. Just because Kōgen may be gone, his followers will still be lurking within the shadows. Still, they must be dealt with. Where the offence is, I say let the blade fall."

"What do you suggest, Kenzō-sama?"

Kenzō rested his chin on his hand, leaning back into his seat while all eyes remained on him. "They must be dealt with ourselves. I have already sent some of the tracking unit to investigate this matter. If I can get the council's approval, I will signal them to act and snuff out these traitors."

"I don't like this guy..." Kankurō leaned in Gaara's ear. "Something about him doesn't sit right..."

Gaara studied him from across the table, narrowing his eyes. "I know..." Traitors? Odd choice of words...

Zarō stood. "All those in favour... say 'aye." Approval was signalled by near every member, save for Gaara and his brother. "Kazekage-sama, you disagree?"

"We don't know enough of these aptly named 'traitors' to issue such a force." Gaara nodded. "I decline to vote."

"I agree with Gaara." Kankurō spoke up. "He's right. We should gather more intel before provoking such an attack... especially in a foreign land that's not our own."

Kenzō scoffed. "I understand that being the leader of a village carries much responsibility... but if you refuse to vote on actions that can potentially protect the village, then I'm afraid you still have much to learn." He met the glare of the Kazekage and glared back amongst his folded hands. "You are not yet half the Kazekage your father was... Rasa-sama must be turning in his grave."

"You bastard -!" Kankurō rose.

Gaara forced him back down into his seat. "Not now, Kankurō..." He spoke, low. "He's not worth it..."

Still, as he watched the councillor grin in his seat, he could not help but feel the man was hiding something. His eyes were dark and full of deceit, his tongue foul with words, and his mind bleeding with a thirst for power. He glared towards him in suspicion, as if trying to decode who the man was from afar. Kenzō was a councillor who gained his seat from the Third Kazekage and sat as his father's advisor. But to Gaara, the man was nothing but spiteful.

When the meeting ended, the two retreated to the office chambers where Kankurō cursed with every breath of vitriol for the councillor. Keeping to himself, Gaara agreed as he continued filling out his paperwork. Cooling himself down from his anger, Kankurō leaned his back against the wall near his younger brother's seat at his desk and quietly mulled over the meeting in his head.

"So, they accepted in the end, huh?" Kankurō asked, changing the subject. "The peace terms, I mean."

"Yes." Gaara replied with a nod, focusing on the task at hand. "That village is now an ally with ours, albeit still strongly neutral. Negotiations weren't easy, but it's solved." Averting his glance, his eyes narrowed as he mulled over his thoughts. But still... I can't help but be suspicious.

Kankurō closed his eyes and smirked. "To be honest, I'm surprised they even agreed... let alone our daimyo settling before we did. Still, it's hard to believe it was our own ancestor that banished those people there... you can say he created two villages. Times have changed, that's for sure." He scoffed at the notion, humoured. "I thought Nomasaki might get kidnapped again by those ninja… whatever vendetta they have against her clan seems very ingrained into their line of thinking."

"Her clan of the Yamamori and the Kumatsume of Ishigakure sworn enemies, which extended to Yamagakure and Ishigakure." Gaara answered with a slight glare. "Only now is there peace... with both clans near on the brink of extinction. If you ask me, it's too late."

"At least you came back in one piece this time." When he turned to his little brother, Gaara shot him a dark glare, piercing him. Slightly jarred by his reaction, he averted his glace with a sigh. Sheesh… what is it with him? It was only a joke… "Oh, speaking of Nomasaki, where is she?"

"She's gone on a mission with the tracking unit. She won't be back until later. Why?"

"I was just curious. We might need her and the tracking unit to help with our next mission with the puppet corps." Closing his eyes for a moment, Kankurō smirked again. "I'm just surprised you didn't want to tag along with her again this time. You two do seem to have spent more time together since your recovery..."

His pen freezing on a stroke, Gaara's hand jolted on his lap as he began to feel flustered. He was spoken into a corner. Unbeknownst to him, his cheeks reddened slightly despite his glare. "Kankurō, Nomasaki's a jonin-level kunoichi. She can handle things herself." He countered. "Besides, that mission was a rare instance, as the council specifically requested us to embark together on that mission to Ishigakure. Nothing more."

With a sigh, Kankurō lifted his back from against the wall. "You're probably right." He agreed. "She is a scary fighter. She doesn't look it, but I'd hate to be the person she'd be up against."

He remembered that time near three years ago, during his second attempt at the Chunin Exams in Kumo. During the preliminary matches before the final rounds, Nomasaki was pitted against a hulking Kumo ninja in the arena, a terrifyingly large fire-release user with rippling muscles and a loud, booming voice. In the arena, there she stood as he remembered - a tiny pixie with average muscle mass and wind-release. However, much to her enemy's misfortune, she also was equipped with her Kekkei Genkai. Although the odds were definitely against her as the fire ignited the battlefield, her eager teammates still cheered her on – with the Sand Siblings closely watching from outside the ring, watching the young girl shake off her skin and become a feral beast, lunging towards the opponent. The fight was over in just a matter of minutes. Remembering the sight, he could feel a small bead of sweat on his face, picturing the wolf's snarling lunges in his mind. She near tore that guy to shreds… It's a good thing she's soft or that really would've been a mess to witness…

After hearing Kankurō speak, Gaara's ringed-eyes closed halfway in hidden sorrow at the paper and files on his office desk in silence - remembering what Hanone revealed to him the other night. The words the wolf spoke to him the night before mulled over in his mind, tormenting him if it was fact or fiction. Noticing the sudden quietness in the room, Kankurō looked back to his little brother. "You worried about her, Gaara?"

"No, that's not it." He replied, quietly.

"Then what?" Kankurō pressed. "Something wrong?"

Gaara's eyes narrowed at the desk. "It's nothing…"

"I was hoping I'd find you two together,"

Turning towards the doorway, Kankurō gave a slightly surprised expression towards his sister as she entered with the door closing behind her. Her eyes were narrowed as she entered, her glance seemingly concerning. Gaara could sense something within her eyes of emerald as she entered the room. Something was off. "Temari," Kankurō spoke. "What brings you here? Did your assignment end early?"

"I came to discuss something privately with you two, something I've been investigating since your capture." She said, her tone slate-like. Stepping closer towards Gaara's desk, she gave him a serious look from her green eyes. "It's about her... your assistant."

"What of her?" Gaara questioned, raising a brow suspiciously. "What's on your mind?"

"I know you're close to Nomasaki, and so am I... we were partners during our jonin training together." Temari started. "She helped us find where you were taken back when the Akatsuki stole Shukaku. Without her, finding you would've been near impossible, and I'm in debt to her for that. It's just..." Her words trailed as she could see the suspicious intrigue of his ringed-eyes. "...I believe she's hiding something from us, from all of us."

"Hiding what?" Kankurō entered, his dark eyes narrowing. "Surely you don't think she's an enemy, Temari... Do you?"

Temari bit her lip as she chose her words carefully. "I'm not sure... but I know her superior is."

"Her superior?"

"Commander Moro is the leader of the Sunagakure Tracking Unit," Gaara answered. "He's been a trusted confidant for years –,"

"That's not who I'm talking about," Temari interrupted, briskly. "It's someone from the council, the man who holds the main authority of the Sunagakure Tracking Unit."

Kankurō's eyes widened in frustration. "You don't mean -!"

"The council, you say?" Gaara repeated, taken aback as his eyes narrowed. "Who?"

"Who else?" She said. "That elder, Kenzō-sama – the one with ties to the tracking unit himself."

Gaara's eyes widened from the name.

Kenzō.

The elder who sat in on all his meetings, the one who they said was 'one with the shadows'. Remembering all the times he would see them interact with another, he remembered the averted glances Nomasaki would direct away from the councilman when he would enter a room – or the times where the councilman would eye her with a glare in brief silence. She would shiver every time.

"As much as I hate to say it..." Temari said, closing her eyes as she held her head low. "But I think she may be a subordinate of his."

Averting his expression, Kankurō gnashed his teeth in dismay. "Damn it," He cursed. "Just as I was beginning to trust her, too... Do you know for certain?"

"I eavesdropped on her after Gaara was recovered from the Land of Rivers, I heard everything."

"Everything?"

"Yes… everything."

Gaara could not find the words to speak.

His eyes widened as his glance locked upon his folded hands at his desk, he felt the wind leave his breath. Things suddenly made sense in his eyes. All her strange behavior, her lurking in the halls at sundown, and her sudden disappearances that often went unnoticed – all pointed towards the undesirable conclusion. In his memories, she was his dutiful assistant, being there for him as he went about his commitment to his village while she stood at his back in support. She saved him from the Akatsuki with his siblings and gave him her unconditional friendship. But then she turned out to be a traitor like Yashamaru, the only person he thought cared for him.

Was everything he felt about her a lie?

Or rather, was everything she was towards him a lie?

As the pain tinged in his chest from behind his bandages, he remembered Hanone's words and her loving care that went into his healing. As she stood before him on that snow-riddled land, he remembered the kind and caring glint from her violet eyes as she soothed the wound with alcohol. And when he found himself holding her hand as she changed his bandages in that cave, he remembered how he felt as if he could not bear to be without her.

His thoughts twisted inside of him like a knife to the heart.

"Gaara?"

With a tinge of worry visible in his dark brown eyes, Kankurō examined his silent and stunned expression. Although it had been moments since Temari spoke, Gaara had not yet given a response. Locked upon the desk, his expression was stuck between a frown and a scowl while his widened eyes evoked shock and hurt. It was strange of him to see him like this, he thought – although he understood the harsh circumstances. Temari followed Kankurō's glance towards the young Kazekage, her green eyes closed halfway in sympathy. She did not want to believe it was true either, but alas – here they were.

Suddenly, someone started knocking on the office door. To their surprise, a Kumo ninja of the Land of Lightning had entered his office alongside two idle Suna ANBU who guarded his quarters in the vast mansion. "Sorry to interrupt, Kazekage-sama," He started. "But I have an urgent message to give you from Raikage-sama, regarding the Akatsuki!"

Stepping forward, the Kumo-nin passed along a scroll. Reaching forward, Gaara began to read its contents while Kankurō stood by with stern and curious eyes. "I see." He said, his eyes narrowing at the open scroll in his hands. "A Five Kage Summit in the Land of Iron… concerning the matter of the Akatsuki and their motives…"

"And your response, sir?"

With serious eyes, the young Kazekage looked up to the Kumo ninja. "Tell the Raikage I accept," He replied. "We'll be there at the summit."

Urgently, the Kumo ninja nodded. "Very well, Kazekage-sama." He said. "I'll relay your reply to Raikage-sama immediately!" Within a swift moment, the Kumo-nin departed for his homeland to the far eastern coast.

Leaving Gaara to suffer in his thoughts.

As the sun was setting that evening, Gaara stood alone on the rooftop of the Kazekage's estate, looking down at his village from above as his mind was full of thoughts – the wolf's words, the Suna Council, his assistant and her treachery, and the Five Kage Summit. Within an instant, a masked shinobi appeared knelt behind him in a cloud of white smoke. Hearing them approach, he glanced to them. "You're back," He spoke. "And the mission?"

Removing her mask as she stood up, Nomasaki walked towards him. "It was a success," She nodded up at him, pausing as she stood beside him. "Our village's secrets are once again safe." Looking out at the village in her view, she smiled to herself. She made herself forget her fear, for putting on a mask was something she was accustomed to. "The tracking unit… I think I'm going to like it, now that I'm no longer a rookie."

"I see." He acknowledged, gazing out at the desert horizon. "…Congratulations, then. You've earned it."

Slightly jolting from his words, she gave a friendly smile, masking her hidden guilt. "Thank you."

Following his gaze, she looked down at the village as well as a gentle breeze blew past them, swaying her long strands of golden blonde and his messy head of crimson. Although she could not put her finger on it, she felt as if something were off as they stood beside one another. The air between the felt thick with the heat and an unsaid tension. A blade would seldom slice through it, with the silence proving too great of an obstacle. Despite the heat, she could send a brisk frigidness to the winds.

"There's a Five Kage summit in the Land of Iron. We depart in the morning."

"R-Really?" She asked, turning to him in surprise. "A summit? Why so sudden?"

"It's the Akatsuki," He replied, narrowing his eyes on the view. "Their activities are becoming more worrisome, now that they're acquired nearly all the tailed-beasts."

"Akatsuki…" She repeated, quietly. Looking down with narrowed eyes, she remembered her brief glimpse of their power. That night months ago, she had the unfortunate sight of witnessing Gaara get captured by the missing-nin Deidara of Iwagakure. From the blast within the darkened skies, the Kazekage fell to his death – caught by the giant bird of clay the criminal was perched upon. While his cloak of the red clouds fluttered in the wind as he flew off, she remembered the hopelessness she felt as she watched from below. "They are a troublesome bunch… Even with our brief encounter with them months ago, their chakra was truly disturbing. It's a wonder that Naruto was able to take down their leader by himself." As the breeze blew past them again, her smile slowly faded with the winds. "You'll… be back soon, right?"

Turning to her, he gazed into her eyes and nodded. After she gave a slight nod in relief, he returned his gaze back upon the desert, his ringed-eyes narrowing. "My sand… I think I figured it out. My Ultimate Defense is restored, and even stronger than it was with Shukaku. I managed to fine-tune it when we returned from Ishi, so now I'm able to serve the village as the Kazekage… and at my full strength."

Surprised, she turned to him. "Oh, that's a relief!" She smiled. "I'm glad, especially since Temari and Kankurō will be going with you on your journey, I assume." Looking back at the village, her eyes closed halfway in concern – the thought of the Akatsuki and their hidden motives chilling her. Hiding her worry, she turned to him with her familiar friendly smile of warmth. "Just… be careful. I know you're the Kazekage, but I still worry when you leave the village. Especially since I won't be there to watch over you! Take care of yourself for me, okay?"

After she spoke, he turned to her, witnessing her warm, gentle smile towards him. Gazing at her with a pleading and saddened glance in his seafoam eyes, he wanted to ask if what the wolf said was true, but had no idea know how to even begin. In that moment, he felt as if they were strangers.

"Gaara!" Jolting from the sound of the creaking wooden door, Kankurō entered the rooftop, stepping out from the doorway with his pack of scrolls under his arm. "We must be prepared to leave first thing in the morning for the summit in the Land of Iron."

"Right." Gaara nodded, soon following.

Although brief, as she met his eyes, she found a hint of suspicion lingering in his stare towards her. The briskness of the wind returned, chilling her but only for a moment. As he began to walk off with his brother, Gaara briefly turned back to her, noticing her worry hidden behind her eyes of warm lilac. Briefly, they shared a longing glance, as if they could sense each other's emotions from a mere gaze within the rays of the setting sun. At the same time, she felt him examining her thoroughly – his ringed-eyes narrowed slightly the same way as Kankurō but with a glint of empathy. Her instincts instantly rose within in, her mind trying to piece together their glances into a reasonable conclusion. With the closing of the door, he was gone – preparing to depart Suna with his siblings for the first Five Kage Summit in decades. Staring into the orange desert horizon, she stood on the rooftop alone – gazing into the sunset with her eyes closed halfway in concern. Deep down within her senses, her instincts gave her a bad feeling, unnerving her as she stood above the desert village.

"Don't tell me it's true,"

Startling her, she turned towards the beast-like voice, her gold hair whipping against her cheeks. With his paws crossed as he sat, Hanone was glaring down at her from on top of the water tower behind her.

"You can't possibly have feelings for that Sand bastard…" He scoffed. "He's your superior. You serve him. Don't forget… you're also spying on him for the council, so he is your enemy."

Flustered and shocked at his wording, she jolted from his accusation. "I-I…! How would you know?" She stammered, taken aback. "I'm just his assistant! Naturally, I'm just going to worry if he leaves the village!" Averting her glance, she could feel the guilt swell up inside of her, sorrow returning to her eyes. "I'm relieved of my spying duties… Gaara-sama is not my enemy, he is my friend. Nothing more…"

"Hmph… Just remember what Suna did to your family. You're of the snow, it's best to not mix with sand."

Sadly, she looked down. "I know, but…" She replied, quietly – remembering the warmth of his chakra that she sensed only moments ago. "He's different… There's good in him. You, of all things should sense it, too…" Dismayed, he snarled, turning away from her as his muzzle curled in disgust. "And don't forget," She reminded, her eyes becoming serious as she narrowed her glance at him. "I have Sand blood in my veins, not just from Yama."

"You are not your father!" Hanone shot back with a growl, turning to her with a threatening glare – his white fur arched on his back in anger. "But the more you stay here, the more alike you're becoming!"

Taken aback by his warning, she grimaced, turning away towards the sunset, folding her arms against her chest as she averted her gaze in sadness. "What am I supposed to do then, Hanone?" She asked, quietly. "I don't know what you want from me…"

"Don't fall for the Kazekage! You'll only be hurt, in the end. You're a wolf, you belong elsewhere… and you know that."

Before her eyes as she turned, Hanone disappeared in a cloud of smoke – dispelling his summoning of his own free will. Concern and sorrow in her eyes once more, she looked at where he once sat. She found herself pondering her life choices and wondering if staying in Suna was a mistake, after all…

It was snowing again.

As she walked through the thick blankets of white at her feet, she felt eerily at ease. In that land, she had no burdens, no duties, no one watching her back - nothing that rang true of a shinobi life. In the far distance, she saw her family's ancient homestead. Once a grand yet quaint palace that weaved along the hillside before the great forest of the Wolf Clan, the Yamamori homestead shrank with the changing times and decay of old. It appeared as if nature was taking it back after near a thousand year reign. Comforting her, it still looked the same as she remembered.

"Who are you?"

Startled, she turned around to see her childhood-self standing behind her on the snow. The child stood as still as a ghost, her cheeks rosy from the cold and her bright violet eyes looking at the kunoichi in a questioning manner. Those eyes don't know what I've been through... or what's to come, Nomasaki realized. To the child, she seemed a boyish-framed, flak jacket-clad stranger with eyes that carried burdens and guilt of her other life. Hesitating, she could feel her chest tighten as she met the child's innocent face. "I...-,"

"Who are you?" The child spoke again. "Why are you here?"

She could not provide an answer.

Why am I here?

The snow soon clouded her vision.

Into nothing...

She awoke.

Rising in her bed, Nomasaki found herself questioning her strange dream. Her childhood-self was a being from a far distant past, it seemed. Her innocence was lost too soon, taken by the loss of her mother and the invasion by Ishi. And now her life hung in the balance as a shinobi. When she left her room, she knew it would be the last time where she could leave her small apartment. The Kazekage would be gone for a week, leaving plenty of time for Kenzō to strike his coup d'tat on the village. Coming back home was a faint possibility for her. As the seal reminded herself of its presence on her tongue, she reminded herself of Kenzō's words.

"You are to serve me until death... Only in death will you be free."

When night approached, Kenzō might very well grant her freedom.

Dawn.

The entire village itself near appeared at the gates to bid their Kazekage farewell to the Kage Summit with his siblings. Standing beside Baki, Nomasaki stood with her eyes weary and soul fragmented. For all she knew, this could be the last time she would see Gaara. And his last time seeing me is when I'm still a traitor, a vessel for secrets. The sun was blinding from the horizon, making it hard to see from where she stood. She just wanted it to be over,

"You're late, Kankurō!" Temari chided.

Ignoring her, Kankurō tightened the scrolls to his back. "Assembling my new puppets took longer than expected!"

"Temari-sama, Kankurō-sama," Baki spoke, a faint smile on his stern features. "We entrust the life our our Kazekage to you."

Temari nodded. "We know -,"

Kankurō scoffed. "But when you think about it, Gaara doesn't really need bodyguards..." As he turned to his sister, she side-eyed him. In that instant, he remembered the fact that his brother was captured for three days by the enemy. He coughed into his hand. "Oh... right."

Pushing herself, Nomasaki stepped forward. "Take care, Kazekage-sama."

Catching his attention, Gaara looked to her and saw her weary eyes for himself. Never had he seen her appear so defeated, so broken. "Same to you, Nomasaki." Her eyes... Something's wrong, very wrong. Stepping closer, he leaned near her ear. "Watch yourself." Silently, she averted her glance nodded.

"Ebizō-sama!"

Slowly, the crowd of villagers made way for the Grand Elder's entrance. "I heard you were leaving today, young Kazekage." Ebizō began. "I made it my duty to make it to the gates and see you off myself. These old legs can't walk for long, but today I made an exception." His expression softened. "This is the first Kage Summit in ages, so I must tell you... keep your wits about. You will be the youngest in attendance and they may try to silence you out of pride. Don't let them. Speak. Your village is at your back."

Gaara nodded. "I'll keep that in mind."

"And one more thing," Ebizō added. "You may find yourself having to make a difficult decision, one that may depend on our village itself. Choose wisely."

Baki agreed, nodding towards the three siblings. "Safe travels, you three. We'll be waiting."

Taking their words into consideration, Temari turned towards the desert and started on their path. "You heard them, let's go."

After a hesitance glance shared between them, Nomasaki watched the Kazekage disappear into the desert horizon. She did not even notice the crowd behind her leave, and soon she was beside herself and the yellowing desert sands. The wind was crisp and cool, nearing striking her memories from a land she thought she had forgotten. To her, it felt a fitting goodbye.

Her senses prompted her to notice a chakra behind her.

Not turning to face them directly, she kept her eyes focused on the desert horizon in the distance. "What does he want?"

"...You, I'm afraid." The owl-masked tracker-in spoke, their voice low. "Come, he doesn't want to be kept waiting."

"If I used my last breath to tell the world of his secrets, would I be viewed a hero or an idiot?" She asked. Hearing his silence, she glanced to him with a bitterness in her violet eyes. "Why serve him if you hate him as well? I sense your discontent. You despise that man as much as I do, yet... you're the one barking his requests to an outsider-traitor he wishes to torment."

"I am a shinobi. I live to serve... that is all." Owl-face replied. They hesitated. "And for the record, you would be neither a hero or idiot, unfortunately. The seal would... likely kill you."

Her hands tensed at her sides. "As it seems..." Turning on her heel, she walked past him. "Today might be my last day. I might as well make it count."

And in that moment, she no longer feared death.

Notes: Another canon connection I was mulling over adding... Pakura, because I thought she was a super cool character but gone way too soon (her episodes in the anime filler arc were pretty great). Since my OC Moro already had Scorch Release I figured I might as well make him and Pakura related since they had the same village allegiance and history (and I also wanted to add more depth to Suna being anti-bloodline/Kekkei Genkai, and more history of the Fourth making terrible decisions).

I also included a Shakespeare reference (in case anyone noticed). The quote Kenzō speaks, "Where the offence is, I say let the blade fall". is a play on-words of the quote "And where the offence is, let the great axe fall" from Hamlet.